by Matt | Aug 20, 2002 | Imported Entry
Well, after going a little OSX crazy yesterday I started looking for ways to get my system as close to a Mac as possible. With the combo of Style XP and Desktop X, I think I’ve gotten pretty close. I’ll put a few links at the bottom. Anyways, I’m using the Jaguar (Mac OS X 10.2) DockBar Theme from DBarras for Desktop X and the Aqua Colorized Windows Theme for Style XP. After that I looked for some Mac icons and found a set here that contains a whole bunch of actual converted icons. I also installed their “finder bar” but didn’t like it much. So, all that, plus a custom made desktop by yours truely, has resulted in this:
screenshot 1
screenshot 2
screenshot 3
screenshot 4
Whatcha think?
by Matt | Aug 19, 2002 | Imported Entry
I want it. Bad. OSX that is. Every time I see pictures of the dock bar or use it at school it makes me want to throw this stupid Windows box out the window and buy a TiBook. But, can’t we all just get along? What if… and this is a big if… what if we could get a dock-like app launcher for Windows? That would be nice right? There’s hundred and millions of shell replacements for Windows because people are tired of the bloated crapware that is Explorer. Why not one that acts like OSX? Wait, even better, you don’t need a full shell-replacement, just an actual usable applications launcher. There’s a few of those around right? Object Bar from the guys that made Windows Blinds is one that I can think of off the top of my head. I know for a fact there bunches of taskbar-ish replacements. How about something in between. An taskbar/quicklaunch bar that looks like the OSX dock. It shouldn’t be that hard. Well, a couple of kids over in the Neowin forums gave it a shot in HTML. Check this out. At the moment its just HTML but if you save it locally and turn Windows Active Desktop on it could work rather well. Now, personally, I think Active Desktop is a HUGE waste of system resources so for me this just isn’t a solution. The developer is apparently trying to do a little coding and trying to make a working application version of it. I can’t wait for that. That, coupled with my OSX Logon, Boot Screen, XP Theme and icon packs should make this little PC look very Mac-ish. And unless $3000 falls into my lap, thats the closest I’m getting to a new laptop anytime soon. So, can you tell I’m a little excited about the basic concept of this?
by Matt | Aug 19, 2002 | Imported Entry
Well, the new copy of XP is installed. I feel rather guilty having only done an upgrade and not going all out with a clean install. It’ll probably come back to bite me in the ass later. You know, two days before a history paper is due and the system starts locking up, that sort of thing. Regardless, it’s installed.
I can’t get to Windows Update though. I remember hearing something about the site possibly being down as they prepare to release Service Pack 1 but I didn’t realize it was actually going to happen. I hope it’s not something with my machine. Can anyone else get to it?
Randomly: Does anyone else ever get a craving for a nice juicy steak? It’s probably just me but I could really really go for a nice NY Strip covered in A1. I haven’t had real red meat in a while. Either that or I’m just hungry.
Later.
by Matt | Aug 19, 2002 | Imported Entry
Well, yesterday I got to hang out with Josh for the evening. I hadn’t seen him in a very long time so it was good to catch up. He’s been having a lot of fun out west and has returned a more “realistic” version of himself. It’s funny how much we’re still alike even after not getting to hang out for three years. Anyway, we went over to Boston Billards to shoot some pool and catch up in general. It was fun. On the way home Josh gave me a street cone. I won’t mention how we actually got the street cone. He also hooked me up with a copy of Windows XP Pro for $30. I can’t fathom such a deep discount for employees. I’m not saying its bad, it’s certainly good for the employees and their families. Kinda sad how normal cutomers get a 1000% mark-up though. After pool we went back to Josh’s house and played XBox for a little while. It was fun.
Anyway. I think I’m going to wipe the drive later tonight and do a clean install with the new copy of XP. I also got my GearGrip Pro last night. Very cool. For those that don’t know, it’s a big safety harness/carrying strap for your computer. Now I can just pick this ol’ giant tower up and carry it around rather than grabbing it with both hands and struggling to get to my car. Should come in very handy for Game Night.
After a night of catching up and hanging out I had to get up around 8:30 today and drive my brother to Southboro (outside of Boston) to meet up with him friend. He of course couldn’t drive himself. Something out not wanting to leave his van there or using to much gas or something stupid. That took up most of my morning. Anyway, I’m off to play with my ‘puter. Later.
by Matt | Aug 18, 2002 | Imported Entry
Well, rumors abound that Josh, the long departed, has made a return trip to Milford. We think he flew in last night but no one is really sure. We’re hoping to get a hold of him and do something today since we haven’t seen him in 3 years. We’ll see what happens.
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